Boosting Regional Innovation: Regions of Knowledge Program

1. REGIONAL DIMENSIONS of INNOVATION The Regions of Knowledge Experience Dr. Stefan Weiers Programme Co-ordinator Regions of Knowledge European Commission Directorate General Research and Innovation Unit C.5

2. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Policy context • Need to boostscience and technology-based economicdevelopment, by better integrating research to their regional innovation strategies • Within the framework of theLisbon and Europe2020 strategiesfor a performing knowledge-based economy • Located in the triangle ofresearch, innovation and cohesionpolicy • Research driven clusters asinnovation engines at regional level • Need to think globally and promote theemerging of world class clustersin Europe • Supportsmart specialisationin view of future R&D andcohesionpolicies • Join forces to strengthencompetitivenessof established and emergingindustrie sectors viatransnational (-regional) networking

3. WHAT IS A REGIONAL RESEARCH-DRIVEN CLUSTER? Regional Authority Research Entity REGIONAL RESEARCH–DRIVEN CLUSTER Business Entity (e.g. SME) Other Actors (e.g. TTOs, Consultants)

4. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE – some facts and figures • Total budgetfor 2007 to 2013: 126 M€ • 54 projects ongoing or under negotiation • Annually varying topics for the calls: 2007 (SME , rural economies), 2008 (CO2 reduction, R&D infrastructure), 2009 (natural resources), 2010 (health), 2011 (transport) • Average size of consortium: 12 partners • Average EC contribution per project:1,5 € (including seed funding for emerging clusters) • Co-ordination action – no traditional R&D projects • Leveragingadditional funds to be fixed in business plan

5. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE Some Examples for (Potential) Success Stories

6. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (1) Source: Technopolis Group (modified) 6 • Thefive most potential impactsof the participation to a RoK project according to the survey are: • Animproved strategic visionin the cluster area; • The formation of new,long-term relationshipswith clusters at theEU level; • More knowledge transferbetween research organisations and enterprises; • Access to a pool ofcomplementary competencies; • Improvement in thestrategy makingprocess. • RoK set thefundaments for future impactsto occur in terms of anenhanced regional economic competitiveness through R&D activities • Potential to support smart specialisation and sectoral innovation strategies in the regions • However: up to now , to a large extent intangible outcome

7. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (2) Source: Technopolis Group 7 • Balanced partnerships in terms of ‘triple helix’ and newly established regional linkages • Public bodies are the main partners followed by private partners and universities and research organisations. • Long-lasting effects esp. in terms of inter-regional collaboration but also strengthening of intra-regional links & communication channels between the triple helix • Progressive up scalingof the programme over the years to increase the level of cooperation between regional research-driven clusters • Fundaments for gaining a critical mass& the potential for international competitiveness • A facilitator was the mentoring dimension of the RoK programme

8. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE :Findings of Comparative analysis : Synergies with other Programmes • RoK serves a distinct group of ‘clients’ with respect to other EU transnational cluster initiatives. • No significant overlapping of programmes: • 84% of RoK participants are not involved in the: other major EU cluster initiatives in parallel to their project; • RoK highly specific with the ‘Triple Helix’ requisite & the JAP, which leads ‘a step further’ than other interregional initiatives; • More visible, readable and targeted than other programmes studied. The JAP allows for more strategic thinking within a structured framework. Source: Technopolis Group 8

9. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (1) 9 Source: Technopolis Group Recommendations for ongoing FP7: • No mandatory mentoring activity • Connect JAPs and study results jointly in view of forthcoming EU policies • Improve inter-project learning • Early involvement of major representative of multi-governance levels • Include clear SMART objectives in DOW • Streamline and simplify EC programme management processes

10. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (2) Source: Technopolis Group (modified) - do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the COMMISSION 10 Open Recommendations / options for possible future programmes in the post 2007 – 2013 period: • Single programme supporting the conception, setting up, strengthening of networks of innovation or research-driven clusters, in line with the “Strategy Europe 2020” ? • value chain approach to transnational cluster initiatives, supporting their collaboration on particularly relevant topics / issues for future EU competitiveness, including research activities ? • 1st Pillar : Cluster emergence/development at regional/national level funded regionally/nationally (incl. through Structural Funds) whereas good practices to be exchanged at EU level • 2nd Pillar: definition of a common strategies for specific sectors based on the involvement of the triple helix in all participating regions leading to a joint action plan • 3rd Pillar: implementation of the commonresearch and innovation actions identified in the JAP… if the projects reach the quality criteria

11. Thank you for your attention ! Download: IA study at http://ec.europa.eu/research/regions/index_en.cfm?pg=publications